Valeriia Sereda
(Khmelnytskyi National University)
Academic advisor: Nataliia Sobol, candidate of pedagogic science
TRANSLATION OF TERMS WITH THE PREFIX SUB- FROM ENGLISH INTO UKRAINIAN
In the vast realm of language, prefixes play a crucial role in shaping the meanings of words. Translating terms with the prefix sub- from English into Ukrainian requires a deep understanding of both linguistic and cultural nuances. The prefix sub- in English can signify “under,” “below,” “additional,” or being subordinate to someone or something, and it can be applied in a wide range of contexts, from scientific to everyday [1].
When translating words with the prefix sub-, it’s important not only to reproduce the lexical meaning but also to maintain a balance between literal and figurative meanings, as well as to consider stylistic appropriateness. Various strategies can be employed in Ukrainian for this purpose, including choosing synonyms, paraphrasing, or borrowing from English with minor adaptations to preserve the sound.
Studying this topic fosters a deeper understanding of interlingual differences and the cultural aspects behind linguistic units.
Task: analyze and practice translating English terms with the prefix sub- into Ukrainian, explore the diverse meanings of the prefix sub- and its equivalents in Ukrainian, taking into account the context and specificity of usage.
Objective: deepen the understanding of the nuances of translation, particularly of words with the prefix sub- from English into Ukrainian.
Prefixes hold the power to transform the meaning of words. The prefix sub- originates from Latin and conveys the idea of under, below, beneath, or less than. When added to the beginning of a word, sub- modifies its meaning, often implying a sense of lower rank, position, or degree [2]. A submarine, for instance, travels “under” the sea. A subway is the way to travel “under” a city. When you have a subpar performance, it is “under” what it should be. When you subscribe to a magazine, you “under” write it so as to provide the writers of the magazine with money for their efforts. And a subterranean cave is “under” the earth.
We have considered several common meanings associated with words containing the prefix sub- and delved into examples illustrating each meaning:
Submarine: a watercraft designed for operation under the surface of the water. The prefix sub- denotes its capability to travel underwater.
Subtract: to take away or deduct an amount from another. The prefix sub- indicates the action of removing something or reducing. Subconscious: mental processes occurring below the level of consciousness. The prefix sub- here signifies something hidden beneath consciousness.
The prefix sub- changes naturally to suf-, which also means “under,” in front of roots that begin with an f. If something is sufficient, enough has been made or done “under” it to hold it up. And when one suffers, one carries a heavy burden “under” oneself.
Consider some other variants of sub- that follow three general rules – 1) all mean “under”; 2) all begin with su-; 3) all follow the rules of prefix assimilation: succor – when you succor another person, you run “under” him/her in order to help; suggest – when you suggest something, you carry it “under” the notice of other people; support – when someone supports you, they go “under” you to carry you in some way; surreal – something surreal is not quite real, but is “under” that which is real, hence seems dreamlike [3].
It should also be noted that the prefix sub- is used to form terms indicating a subordinate position in a certain hierarchy: sublease – суборенда, subsection – підрозділ, subagent – субагент, subeditor – редактор відділу.
In the Ukrainian language, there is a formal equivalent of this prefix – the prefix суб-, but the translation is not limited only to it. They can be translated into Ukrainian in the following ways: terms with the prefix суб-: subculture – субкультура; terms with the prefix під-: subset – підгрупа; terms with the prefix до- (for adjectives) or недо- (for nouns and verbs): subcritical – докритичний, to subcool – недогрівати; terms with words characterizing the incompleteness of the property measure: subnormal – subacid – слабокислий, subaverage – нижче середнього; terms with the word “вторинний” and similar words: subshaft – вторинний вал; terms with words denoting a part of the whole: subcircuit – частина схеми; terms with the word “попередній” and similar: subassembly – попередня збірка; terms with the words “допоміжний”, “додатковий” and similar words: subdish – допоміжне дзеркало (антени); terms with the words “місцевий”, “локальний”: submain – локальний каналізаційний колектор; descriptively: subcenter – торговий центр за межами ділової частини міста [4], [5, c.357-360].
Thus, in examining the translation of the prefix sub-, we have witnessed its diversity in words and the conveyance of complex meanings. The prefix sub- is widely used in everyday speech to convey various meanings. Its use helps create new words and clarify concepts, indicating a relationship of being below, under, or less than something.
REFERENCES
- WhatDoes The Prefix Sub Mean. Captionsboy: website. URL: https://captionsboy.com/what-does-the-prefix-sub-mean/ (last accessed March, 3 2024)
- Words beginning with the prefix sub-. Spellzone: website. URL: https://www.spellzone.com/word_lists/list-872.htm(last accessed March, 5 2024)
- Undertake the Sub Prefix Subway. Membean: website. URL: https://membean.com/roots/sub-under/ (last accessed March, 5 2024)
- Терміниз префіксом sub, URL: https://studfile.net/preview/1588473/page17/ (last accessed March,3 2023)
- Карабан В. Переклад англійської наукової і технічної літератури. Граматичні труднощі, лексичні, термінологічні та жанрово стилістичні. Вінниця. Нова книга. 2022. 564 с.